Author: Manjusha Nambiar

East, Eastern, North, Northern

We prefer eastern, southern etc when we are talking about rather indefinite areas, and east, south etc. for more clearly defined places. The northern part of this country is hilly. The west side of...

During vs. In vs. For

During means from the beginning to the end of a particular period of time. It rained during the night. There was not even a whisper during the whole service. During can also be used...

Dress

The countable noun dress means the long outer garment worn by a woman or a girl. It is used with the article a/an. I have never seen her wearing a dress. The uncountable noun...

Double Negatives And Double Possessives

Never use a negative verb and a negative qualifier (e.g. nothing, hardly, scarcely, nobody etc.) together. Incorrect: I haven’t nothing to prove. Correct: I have nothing to prove. OR I haven’t got anything to...

When To Use A and When To Use The

In some situations, you can use either the indefinite article (a/an) or the definite article (the). Note that there is a difference of meaning between the two structures. The definite article is used when...

Could Have + Past Participle

The structure could have + past participle is used to say that somebody was capable of doing something, but didn’t try to do it. He could have become the President if he had contested...